CGEn is excited to announce the addition of new members to our Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), bringing invaluable expertise to help us advance our ambitious mission.
Dr. Sharon Peacock has recently joined the CGEn Board of Directors. She is the Master Elect of Churchill College, Professor of Microbiology and Public Health at the University of Cambridge, and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. With over a decade of experience in pathogen sequencing and public health microbiology, she founded the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) to support the UK’s pandemic response. Dr. Peacock’s exceptional contributions to the field have earned her numerous honours, including the MRC Millennium Medal and a CBE for services to public health. “I’m honoured to join CGEn’s Board of Directors,” Dr. Peacock shared. “CGEn’s bold mission to advance genomic science and innovation is delivering groundbreaking discoveries that benefit human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. I look forward to working with the Board and contributing to CGEn’s vision.”
“We are thrilled to welcome these renowned leaders to our Board and SAB,” said Dr. Meredith McLaren, CEO of CGEn. “Their expertise will be important in guiding CGEn as we continue to push the boundaries of genomics research in Canada. Our mission—to serve as the engine for genomics-enabled discovery and innovation, fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for all Canadians—thrives through the dedication and support of experts like Dr. Peacock, Dr. Gut, Dr. Shapiro, and Dr. Villani”
Dr. Ivo Gut joined CGEn’s SAB earlier this year. He is the Director of the Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG) in Barcelona, one of Europe’s largest genome sequencing centers. With 30 years of experience, Dr. Gut has made major contributions to human disease research, genomics technology, and non-human genomics. He has led several international projects, including READNA, RD-Connect, and EASI-Genomics, and collaborates with global consortia such as the International Cancer Genome Consortium and the Human Cell Atlas. “It is a great honour to be joining the Scientific Advisory Board of CGen in these exciting times of genomic analysis”, shared Dr. Gut. “Genome Analysis is now venturing closer to clinical application. A well-tuned and implemented capacity for sequencing is more important than ever to make this transition a full success and bring its benefits to citizens.”
Joining Dr. Gut on the SAB in mid-2024 are Dr. Beth Shapiro and Dr. Alexandra-Chloé Villani. Dr. Shapiro is the Associate Director for Conservation Genomics at the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute and Chief Scientific Officer at Colossal Biosciences. She is a renowned expert in conservation genomics and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. “It is a profound honour to join CGEn’s Scientific Advisory Board.”, explains Dr. Shapiro. “CGEn’s mission to accelerate genomics solutions that enhance biodiversity, agriculture, and human health aligns seamlessly with my vision for an advanced genomics toolkit. I am eager to work together with the SAB to drive forward these impactful initiatives.”
Dr. Villani is a Principal Investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She holds leadership roles within the Human Cell Atlas, an international effort to map all human cell types across organ systems and ethnicities. “It’s a privilege to join CGEn’s Scientific Advisory Board,” said Dr. Villani. “As a former graduate student at McGill University, I am excited to contribute to CGEn’s scientific strategy and help drive the future of genomics research in Canada across key sectors.”